Apparatus for separating hair

ABSTRACT

In combination with a curling iron having a first free end and a second end attached to a handle, the improvement comprising: an apparatus for separating hair. Such apparatus for separating hair includes a hair separator member manufactured from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. Such hair separator member has a first substantially pointed outer end and a second end. Such second end of such hair separator member is releasably connectable to such first free end of such curling iron. A securing mechanism secures such second end of such hair separator member to such first free end of such curling iron.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/066,219 filed Feb. 19, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to hair styling devices and, more particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for separating hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, curling irons, as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used to style hair. Generally, to use a curling iron, a user grasps a section of hair and wraps it around a barrel of a heated curling iron and clamps the hair in place to allow the heat to penetrate the hair long enough to set the curl. After the curl has set the hair is released from the curling iron. Grasping the hair usually requires the user to set the curling iron down while using both hands (one holding a comb and the other holding hair) to separate the next section to be curled. The user generally continues to curl sections of hair in this manner putting the curling iron down, sectioning the hair, then retrieving the curling iron and curling the section of hair, until an overall desired result is achieved. Unfortunately, curling hair is time consuming and difficult. As a user attempts to section the hair for curling, such user may accidentally ruin the previously curled sections. Constantly setting the curling iron down and picking it back up often results in the user burning his or her hands.

Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Seja, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,372, discloses a hot air hair curling apparatus which has a motor-driven hair curler body which is provided with retractable radially arranged teeth. The means for moving the retractable teeth includes an actuating element located at a free end of the hair curler body.

Hirzel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,030, discloses a retractable brush for brushing, cleaning and curling hair. The retractable brush is constructed of a brushing base, an elongated tube and, a pair of handles. The retractable brush has at least one or more rows of teeth/bristles and may include a closer cap at one end of such elongated tube.

Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,999, discloses an electrical hair curling iron including a tubular heating member and a clamp bar. The heating member includes motor driven mechanism for automatically turning the clamp bar about the heating member in one direction or the other, selectively, as controlled by actuating means on the handle.

McCurrach, U.S. Pat. No. D455,226, discloses an ornamental design for a hair styler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in combination with a curling iron having a first free end and a second end attached to a handle, the improvement comprising an apparatus for separating hair. Such apparatus for separating hair includes a hair separator member manufactured from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. Such hair separator member has a first substantially pointed outer end and a second end releasably connectable to such first free end of such curling iron. A securing means releasably secures such second end of such hair separator member to such first free end of such curling iron.

According to another embodiment, in combination with a curling iron having a first free end and a second end attached to a handle, the improvement comprising a hair separator member manufactured from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, such hair separator member including a first substantially pointed outer end and a second end attached to such first free end of such curling iron.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a curling iron having a first free end and a second end attached to a handle which further includes a tip member disposed on such first free end thereof for enabling a user to easily part and section hair just prior to curling such hair on the barrel of such curling iron.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tip attachment for use with pre-existing curling irons, such tip attachment including a substantially pointed end and a pressure fit end for fitting over a first predetermined end of such curling iron such that such substantially pointed end may be used to part and section hair prior to curling such hair.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an easy to use styling tool which will make curling one's hair easier.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple styling tool for enabling a user to curl hair more safely by reducing the need for a user to set a curling iron down in order to section hair into manageable portions prior to curling such hair.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a curling iron which includes a substantially pointed tip for use in at least one of parting hair, sectioning hair, sliding hair onto a barrel of such curling iron, and a combination thereof.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a prior art curling iron.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the hair separator member has been secured to the free end of the curling iron.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to on embodiment of the invention in which the securing means for securing the hair separator member is a threaded type securing means having threaded portions on the hair separator member and such free end of such curling iron, such threaded portions being engageable with each other.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-5.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the present invention provides, in combination with a curling iron 13 having a first free end 15 and a second end 17 attached to a handle 19, the improvement comprising an apparatus for separating hair, generally designated 10.

Such apparatus for separating hair 10 includes a hair separator member 12 manufactured from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. It is presently preferred that such predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof. It is presently most preferred that such predetermined material is plastic. It is further presently preferred that such predetermined material is heat-resistant. It is presently preferred that such predetermined shape is selected from the group consisting of conical and tapered. It is presently most preferred that such predetermined shape is conical as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. A tapered shaped hair separator member is illustrated in FIG. 4.

Such hair separator member 12 has a first substantially pointed outer end 14 and a second end 16 releasably connectable to such first free end 15 of such curling iron 13. It is presently preferred that such first substantially pointed outer end 14 is rounded.

It is presently preferred that such hair separator member 12 is between about 1.25 inches and about 1.75 inches long.

A securing means 18 secures such second end of such hair separator member 12 to such first free end 15 of such curling iron 13.

It is presently preferred that such securing means 18 is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive type securing means, a friction fit type securing means, and a threaded type securing means.

It is presently most preferred that such securing means 18 is a friction fit type securing means 24 and wherein one of such second end 16 of such hair separator member 12 and such first free end 15 of such curling iron 13 includes a hollow portion 33 for releasably receiving an opposite one of such second end 16 of such hair separator member 12 and such first free end 15 of such curling iron 13.

According to another embodiment, such securing means 18 is a threaded type securing means 26 and one of such second end 16 of such hair separator member 12 and such first free end 15 of such curling iron 13 includes a threaded male member 32 and an opposite one such second end 16 of such hair separator member 12 and such first free end 15 of such curling iron 13 includes a threaded female member 34, such male member 32 and such female member 34 being releasably engageable with each other.

According to still another embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, in combination with a curling iron 13 having a first free end 15 and a second end 17 attached to a handle 19, an improvement is provided comprising a hair separator member, generally designated 20. Such hair separator member 20 is manufactured from a predetermined material and has a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. Such hair separator member 20 includes a first substantially pointed outer end 14 and a second end 16 attached to such first free end 15 of such curling iron 13. Such hair separator member may be attached to such free end of such curling iron by any means which reasonably facilitates such purpose. It is meant that such hair separator member is permanently attached to such curling iron such that such hair separator member is readily available for use each and every time the curling iron is used.

It is presently preferred that such first substantially pointed outer end 14 of such hair separator member is rounded.

It is presently preferred that such hair separator member 20 is between about 1.25 inches and about 1.75 inches long.

It is presently preferred that such predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof. It is presently most preferred that such predetermined material is plastic. It is further presently preferred that such predetermined material is heat-resistant.

It is presently preferred that such predetermined shape is selected from the group consisting of conical and tapered. It is presently most preferred that such predetermined shape is conical.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. In combination with a curling iron having a first free end and a second end attached to a handle, the improvement comprising: an apparatus for separating hair, said apparatus having; a. a hair separator member manufactured from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, said hair separator member including a first substantially pointed outer end and a second end releasably connectable to such first free end of such curling iron; and b. a securing means for releasably securing said second end of said hair separator member to such first free end of such curling iron.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said securing means is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive type securing means, a friction fit type securing means, and a threaded type securing means.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said securing means is a friction fit type securing means and wherein one of said second end of said hair separator member and such first free end of such curling iron includes a hollow portion for releasably receiving an opposite one of said second end of said hair separator member and such first free end of such curling iron.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said securing means is a threaded type securing means and wherein one of said second end of said hair separator member and such first free end of such curling iron includes a threaded male member and an opposite one said second end of said hair separator member and such first free end of such curling iron includes a threaded female member, said male member and said female member being releasably engageable with each other.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said hair separator member is between about 1.25 inches and about 1.75 inches long.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined material is plastic.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined material is heat-resistant.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined shape is selected from the group consisting of conical and tapered.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said predetermined shape is conical.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first substantially pointed outer end is rounded.
 12. In combination with a curling iron having a first free end and a second end attached to a handle the improvement comprising a hair separator member manufactured from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, said hair separator member including a first substantially pointed outer end and a second end attached to said first free end of said curling iron.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said hair separator member is between about 1.25 inches and about 1.75 inches long.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said predetermined material is plastic.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said predetermined material is heat-resistant.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said predetermined shape is selected from the group consisting of conical and tapered.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said predetermined shape is conical.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said first substantially pointed outer end is rounded. 